Expat retirees find love in the Philippines

The Philippines is somewhat of a mixed bag for expats, according to a recent survey.

Although the Philippines is usually found lurking near the bottom in most annual expat surveys, it’s always been popular for those seeking a peaceful, pleasant life.

Ignored by seekers of high salaries and career boosts, this Southeast Asian archipelago mostly appeals to expat retirees and searchers for an exotic but low-cost place to live. However, in this year’s Expat Explorer Survey, migrants rated the weather, the emerging economy and the country’s increasingly influential role in Asia as reasons to stay. One aspect of life in the Philippines that's well-known to those who live there but perhaps isn't appreciated by its detractors is romance. In the survey, 64 per cent of the 300 respondents said they’d found the love of their lives in their new land, with another 56 per cent saying the move had improved their marriages.

Expats who’d either arrived with their spouse and children or had married and had children after they’d arrived said raising a family was far less expensive and their kids’ quality of life was far superior to that in the home country. Perhaps the Philippines' strongest point in its favour is the friendships formed with local people, as Filipinos are amongst the most genuinely friendly folks on the planet. Regardless of gender, race or faith, everyone is welcomed and made to feel at home within the lively, vibrant local culture. The majority of respondents agreed, saying they were treated as family by their neighbours.

As the rest of Southeast Asia tightens up its visa requirements, thus making more and more difficulties for those on less than generous pensions, the Philippines retirement visa is another good reason to choose the archipelago as a retirement destination. For those wishing to continue working, salaries are, of course, far lower than in many other expat favourites, but the cost of living in minimal compared with, say, Switzerland or Singapore. Over half those surveyed said they’d more disposable income than at home, with only 20 per cent saying they’d less. Salaries seem roughly the same as in expats’ countries of origin, and over 50 per cent were able to save more on a regular basis.